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July 2022 Mustard Seed - A Word from the Pastor

7/9/2022

 
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And Jesus said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”  Luke 10:25-28

This has been called Jesus’ creed, two parts of the great commandment that Jesus’ taught and lived; Love God and Love your neighbor. “Do this,” Jesus says, “and you will live.”  It sounds so simple, but we can only love God and our neighbors because God first loved us by sending Jesus to live, teach, die, and rise again for us. We experience and understand God’s love more fully in the life of the church in three important steps we take in our journey of faith; Baptism, Communion and Confirmation.   

Many of us received baptism as infants before we could remember it or have anything to say about it.  We baptize infants because we believe that God loves us and welcomes us into the church family from the very beginning before we can do anything for God to love us.  In Baptism God also forgives our sins before we know what we are doing wrong. Parents and godparents or sponsors reject sin and confess their faith in God who comes to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, when a baby is baptized. But people can be baptized at any age and confess this faith for themselves. We believe we only need to be baptized once to be forgiven all our sins. But baptism begins a daily, lifelong process of dying to our sins to live new lives as children of God. 

After Baptism the next step we take is receiving our first Holy Communion, when Jesus welcomes us to the table he shared with his disciples at their last supper. This meal is also a promise of the feast we will share with all God’s saints in heaven.  We believe that Jesus is really present for us in holy communion in the earthly elements of bread and wine or juice. We never fully understand the mystery of how Jesus can be present at every communion service, every Sunday all around the world. But we prepare to receive our first holy communion by learning more about how Jesus shares his body and blood with us to make us more fully a part of his living body the church.  I didn’t receive communion for the first time until I finished 3 years of confirmation classes. Now we welcome people to share communion at an earlier age when they begin to ask for it. 

The next but not the last step in our journey of faith is called Confirmation. We usually take this step as teenagers when we prepare to confirm or affirm the faith of our baptism for ourselves. Confirmation allows us to participate more fully in the life of the church by voting at annual meetings and taking on leadership roles. Teenagers usually prepare for confirmation by learning more about the 5 parts of the Small Catechism that Martin Luther wrote for parents to teach their older children by answering their questions about faith. The Catechism teaches us more about the meaning of Baptism, Holy Communion, the Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer and The Apostles’ Creed and how important they are to remember as we continue our journey of faith in the church.  While Faith Church has been searching for a new pastor there haven’t been regular classes for students to prepare for First Holy Communion and Confirmation, but the Congregational Council is planning to resume those classes as soon as you call your next pastor.

In the meantime, while I’m your Bridge Pastor through this summer, I’ll be glad to talk with you about Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation or any other questions you may have about our life together, in Faith.  

Enjoy a blessed, restful and refreshing July, 
                                Pastor Bruce + 

July 2022 Mustard Seed - Announcements

7/9/2022

 
 
 
Faith will be offering in-person “Monumental” Vacation Bible School Monday through Friday, August 8-12, 2022 from 9am to 12noon.
 
Parents and caregivers can sign their children up by going to our website www.faithmontgomeryville.org and clicking on the Vacation Bible School tab.

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Christian Radio keeps the faith going
   
     560 AM  WFIL -- Christian teaching all day long
     88.9 FM  WORD -- Contemporary Christian Rock Music
     91.7 FM -- A mixture of Bible teaching, traditional music
     107.5 FM -- Praise/Gospel Music & Bible teaching
     106.9 FM -- KLOVE -- Contemporary Christian Rock
 
Check out bibleproject.com They provide videos, podcasts, Bible study, online classes and more, all for free.  They are “helping people experience the Bible as a unified story that leads to Jesus.”  Check out their website!
 
  
Please continue to fill the HELPSY bin!  When cleaning out your closets please fill the blue Helpsy bin at the end of our parking lot with used clothing and shoes (IN ANY CONDITION.)
    Faith receives $600 annually from this community outreach.
 

Please keep the stamps coming!
It’s a continuing need!  Thank you for all your contributions.  It really helps! 
 
 
Hatfield Flowers and Gifts ((215) 822-1530) provides Faith with two lovely flower arrangements to adorn our sanctuary.
          You can sign up to sponsor flowers, bulletins or a food basket.  The flowers are $35, the bulletins are $10 and the food basket is $25.
          You can dedicate any one of these things to someone special, to celebrate a birthday or in memory of a loved one. You may take the flowers home or they will be given to an ill or homebound member.  The $10 for the bulletins is to help cover the cost of making the bulletins and the $25 for the food basket is money donated to “Manna on Main Street” to help feed those in the North Penn area.
          To sign up for a particular Sunday either sign up on the chart on the Foyer bulletin board or call Janet in the church office (215) 368-0240.
  
 
Do you shop at Giant?
If you do, you can buy Giant gift cards from the church.  A $50 card costs you $50.  How does the church make money?  Well, when Faith purchases $1,000 worth of cards from Giant, they only charge us $950 (a 5% discount.)  So, when we sell those cards to you, the church makes $50.  It adds up… 
 
 
 Faith’s Transportation Initiative
If you need a ride to church on Sunday or you are interested in providing a ride to church to someone, please contact Dale Foster.

 
Faith will be offering “Monumental” Vacation Bible School Monday through Friday, August 8-12, 2022 from 9am to 12noon. 
    Gail Achilles is diligently praying and working on filling the station and crew leader positions still vacant for Vacation Bible School.  Also, a tech support person would be most appreciated for the week of VBS.  Thanks to all who have stepped up to help with VBS thus far.
We have flyers to pass out if you know of children that might be interested in attending.  Parents and caregivers can sign their children up by going to our website www.faithmontgomeryville.org and clicking on the Vacation Bible School tab.
    If you’d like to help, please contact Gail Achilles.
 


Lord, when did we see you...?  
 
July is our Sabbath Month.  Look for a new Social Ministry project in August.
 

July 2022 Mustard Seed - Council Notes

7/9/2022

 
Council Notes                                                                                                                                                                             June 1, 2022
 
Council was called to order by President Rich Hollenbach.  Sharon Hood lead devotions.  Minutes of the May regular council meeting was approved as written.
 
Treasurer’s Report: Council reviewed the May 2022 treasurer’s report.  With year-to-date income at $46,717.27 (43%) and operating expenses at $41,249.14 (26%) we have a $5,468.13 surplus.  There was a previous plan of action that if general funds hit $20,000 that we would put $10,000 in a moderate consolidation, but Rich pointed out that because of the current market situation that it would not be wise to take that action at this time.   All members voted to approve the May Treasurer’s Report.
 
President’s Report: Rich reported that Pastor Bruce Davis will be our Bridge Pastor through June 2022 and we will review in Old Business.  Rich has sent a few emails to our new Dean but have not had a response yet on a few questions from last meeting.  Over the next few council meetings, we will be reviewing and approving several documents including our Computer Acceptable Use Policy, staff job descriptions and our updated constitution.  Rich will be in Peru from June 10th through the 19th, Jack will be in charge.  Coffee hour on June 19th is hosted by council (Father’s Day Communion Breakfast), Anne will help coordinate.
 
 Pastor’s Report:
Pastor Bruce put in his time for Worship, Council meeting, and Mustard Seed Message.  Pastor Bruce announced that he would be more than willing to continue as Bridge Pastor after the month of June (except he needs July 31st off.)  Note:  this is discussed further in “Old Business” of this month’s minutes.  Pastor Bruce also brought up having Communion/Confirmation information (reading material, videos, Pastor Bruce even volunteered his involvement via zoom of course) for instruction for the children who are of age for communion/confirmation.  Missy asked Pastor if he could outline this information and steps of instruction, and Pastor Bruce responded “Yes” and that he will add this to his next Mustard Seed newsletter.  When Pastor Davis asked at what age the children of Faith generally receive their first communion, Missy replied that Pastor G (former bridge pastor) pushed for a child receiving Holy Communion when they were asking to receive.  Pastor and Rich pointed out that steps should be taken to prepare a child ahead of time with instruction and their parents should play a part in helping with that instruction and join their child in taking their Fist Holy Communion as a family.
 
Ministry Team Reports:
 
*  Call Committee: Sadly, Carol Taylor as of June 1, 2022, has resigned from the call committee for personal reasons.  Adam Feldman is replacing David Bonthu on the committee making a total of 6 members presently.  They are Nancy Allegrezza, Adam Feldman, Anita Halpern, Rich Hollenbach, Jack Walls, and Gail Achilles.  Sent an email May 31, 2022, to Pastor Sarah Aasheim asking if there were any candidates for pastor coming our way to interview; I told her we are praying fervently for a pastor according to God’s will and timing.  No response as of this date.  Rich informed us that he reported to Pastor Sarah that Adam will replace David on the Call Committee.
  • Christian Education: Melissa Prunkel reported that Sunday School (in person) and Wednesday Whirl Bible (via zoom) lessons have ended as of May 29.  The children’s bible lessons will resume in September (date to be determined) of this year.  VBS Update:  We are still in need of two persons to lead the “Awesome Bible Adventures” station (simply bringing a story from the bible to life for the children attending each day).  Resource material for this station is available.  We also could use at least 4 more crew leaders.  Each crew leader will be responsible for a group of 5 children by transitioning them to each station and guiding them through the lesson/craft/game taught at that station.  If anything, please pray for a successful VBS; we trust that God will provide through our prayers.  Gail will make periodic announcements on select Sundays leading up to VBS (Aug 8 to 12, 9 am to 12 noon).  Catechetics Update:  Missy is still working on gathering information to startup lessons in the fall.
  • Communications: Website still needs updating; will work on it in June.  Vince will assist Jack in updating our church sign.
  • Finance: Sharon reported that audit will probably be done in July 2022.  Nancy Gansner and Adria Parsons have graciously volunteered their services. 
  • Fundraising: Scrapbooking fundraiser brought in $720.  Linda Kratz will be meeting with Beth Schoening to discuss some fundraising ideas. 
  • Health: Anne Hutnyk reported that Tina Hutnyk will not be available for health services until September 2022. 
  • Hospitality/Fellowship: Church Picnic, Sunday June 5th following worship service at Spring Valley Park.  (Thrivent will help cover the cost up to $250.)  Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19th – donations of “egg bakes” for coffee hour will be appreciated in honor of all the dads following 9:30am worship.
  • Property Team:  Vince Hill reported that the team will be shopping for picnic food provided by Thrivent.
  • Shepherding: Mother’s Day cards were sent to all mothers, and Father’s Day cards will be sent in June.
  • Social Ministry:  Still need to do count of donations for female items for May’s social ministry; June’s social ministry will be to collect donations of male items.
  • Stewardship: Jack Walls had a few inquiries and conversations regarding e-giving, and he plans to make additional periodic announcements.
  • Worship & Music: Communion will have wine and grape juice on the 1st Sunday of each month.  The worship service moves to 9:30am June 5th through August 28th.
 
OLD BUSINESS New Copier – still waiting for new copier (first one came in damaged); new copier company will buy out old copier contract. 
Bridge Pastor Agreement – Pastor Bruce agreed to sign a new contract for the months of July (needs supply pastor for July 31st), August, and September 2022.  Council members told Pastor Bruce that they were grateful for his service.  Rich will work on paperwork and attain required signatures.
 
NEW BUSINESS
  • Acceptable Use Policy: any person using church owned technology equipment will be required to read, sign, abide by and then review annually.  All council members approved the “Acceptable Use Policy.”
  • Ministry Description for a Part-time Pastor-Faith: – job description for a part time pastor with 25-30 hours per week that will be provided to each candidate for pastor.  All council members voted in favor of the Ministry Description for Part-time Pastor-Faith.
  • Chairs: Missy is borrowing 80 chairs (approved over emails).  Will pick up chairs on June 9 for a June 10th function, and then return chairs in a timely manner. 
 
Next Meeting:  Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at 7:00 PM. Will be a hybrid meeting.  Devotions will be led by Anne.

July 2022 Mustard Seed - Notes from Council Secretary

7/9/2022

 
Hello Church Family, This month we all come together as one in America to celebrate the birth of our Nation.  Happy Fourth of July!  We will enjoy the family and friend festivities and watching the fireworks light up the night sky in colorful brilliance.   Many will fly the American flag proudly and have fun listening and singing patriotic songs.  We will also remember with heartfelt gratitude our veterans who fought bravely and the current day soldiers who still fight to keep our land safe, peaceful, and free.

As Christians we know we are so blessed by the One, the I Am, our Creator, for the freedom that we have in America.  All the glory goes to God!  God who gave all humankind His love, His peace and freedom to live on His earth, and one day we will stand before our Maker hopefully to live eternally in Heaven made possible by Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection. Therefore, we must, as our ancestors before us spread God’s truth so that we may bring love, peace, and freedom to all in the World!  God tells us how to do this through His Word.  Is it easy?  NO!  Was it easy for Christians of our past and is it easy for Christians today?  NO! 

Matthew 5:10-12 (NIV) tells us--“10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
We Believers of course do not want to be persecuted spreading God’s love to all humankind including our enemies (“44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” Matthew 5:44, NIV), but we are commissioned (read the Great Commission in Matthew 28: 16-20) to put on the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), fight evil, and spread His Word with love.  We are not alone in this mission.   God, Immanuel, is with us always!

As Americans, one Nation under God, we realize we would not be enjoying the freedoms that we enjoy today if no one had fought so bravely for those rights.  Let us as Christian soldiers stand up and fight for One World under God, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Amen!       
​
        Your Sister in Christ, 
       Gail Achilles, Call Committee Chair and Council Secretary

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